Disneyland Ephemera
I have a selection of vintage Disneyland ephemera for you. My favorite!
First up is this somewhat scarce table menu from the Maxwell House restaurant on Town Square. Dad is looking pretty pleased with himself. "I gambled away my son's college fund, but at least he can have Superb Cheese Cake". Maxwell House ended its sponsorship in October, 1957, so this one is pretty old. I wonder if there were other Maxwell House eateries around the country?
I've actually shared this next item before - a press pass for Sunday, June 23, 1963. I've never seen another one like it (though I'm sure they are out there), but the reason I am showing it again is that I wondered "What was going on at Disneyland on June 23, 1963?". It turns out that it was the debut of the Enchanted Tiki Room! Strange that the pass doesn't hint at any tiki goodness, but instead is more of a "pre 4th of July" design. A friend of the blog remarked that the artwork had a Rolly Crump-ish look.
The next item is just one of a zillion random brochures that Disneyland produced over the years. It's from the Summer of 1973, and has artwork (used on several brochures) hyping the Main Street Electical Parade, which had debuted to great acclaim the previous Summer.
I don't know how to have fun at Disneyland, but luckily this brochure gives me all the info I need! How many people actually left the park in the middle of the day for a swim at the hotel? Maybe I would have if I'd ever stayed there, but I honestly can't imagine doing so. Looking at the musical acts mentioned, The Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose had a couple of songs that I still like a lot to this very day. "Dawn featuring Tony Orlando", when I grew up we always called them "Tony Orlando and Dawn".
I have so much Disneyland ephemera, I need to get scanning!
11 comments:
Major-
It strikes me as if 'Dad's' kinda a cheapskate, if the zenith of his largess is a mere 40₵ for the ritziest item on the menu - even in 1957 dollars-! I would think if 'Dad' really was "The Greatest Guy in the World" the least he could do was take his family to the Red Wagon Inn where a Swift's Premium Roast Prime Ribs of Beef au jus could be had - but for more than a song-!
Thanks, Major.
1) Ah yes, the 1950s, when "Father knows best". Mom, Dad, two kids (one boy, one girl), and the family dog. Dad was emperor of the family. Mom never left the house but still wore her high heels and pearl necklace every day.
I wonder what makes the "Fancy Jell-O" fancy? Maybe it's the hyphen in "Jell-O".
2) The eagle looks like it's in distress; maybe with a broken wing... or neck. I like the style of the text; both red and blue. I'm sure it's hand-drawn.
3) The dotted style of the illustration reminds me of the decorated clothing that British "pearlies" wore.
4) I've only heard "Tony Orlando and Dawn" as well. Never heard it pronounced the other way.
I suppose I might leave the Park midday for a dip in the pool, but only if I were spending two weeks at the hotel and park.
Thanks for the temporary stuff, Major.
I'm guessing the Maxwell House restaurant was really more of a "coffee house," since the only food they were serving was dessert. So was it Hills Bros that expanded the menu to include other food items, or did that not happen until it became the American Egg House?
"Dawn featuring Tony Orlando" was how the group was billed up until sometime in 1973. It must have been late 1973, since this brochure is from the summer. The following year is when the "Tony Orlando and Dawn" TV show debuted. I think very early on, the group was even billed as just "Dawn."
"The Walt Disney Story....A Major New Attraction" I don't know if I would have called it "MAJOR." Maybe if they had put an audio-animatronic Walt in the attraction. And made it a boat ride.
My goodness, the Maxwell House menu nearly ran out of adjectives. A veritable parade of superlatives. I hope I was a great Dad. My Dad certainly qualified.
JB, “Fancy Jell-O” jello has that little dab of whipped nondairy topping in the center.
Forgive me, but the press pass seems a little crudely done, less polished than I might have expected. Maybe that’s part of the charm.
The Electrical Parade was so popular we are still pining for it today, like a parrot for the fjords. I’d love to see it again, I have great memories of it, and the relentless soundtrack. It’s the only parade I would sit (or stand) still for.
Mrs. G will occasionally take a mid-day Disneyland break and go back to the hotel for a rest, but it’s been a long time since either of us went swimming in a motel pool.
@Tokyo, the Walt Disney Story was designated MAJOR since there was an understanding that it would someday be featured on the MAJOR’s blog. I’m sure of it.
Thanks Major, enjoy your time off!
JG
Disneyland ephemera days are some of my favorites! While there was eventually a chain of Aunt Jemima Restaurants, following the success of the initial location in Disneyland, I don't recall seeing anything about additional Maxwell House locations (although now I need to look into that more). The press pass from the opening of the Tiki Room, even if not mentioned, is a very cool addition to the collection!
@ TM!-
Such an expert on Dawn, Tony Orlando, etc. you are. I'm impressed.
Following his solo career, beginning in 1961 with "big hits" Halfway to Paradise (#39) and Bless You (#15), Tony formed 'Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando' in 1970: Candida; Knock Three Times & Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.
For the release of Who's In The Strawberry Patch With Sally (#27) [who remembers that one-?], in November, 1973, the name had been changed to 'Tony Orlando & Dawn'.
Take the kids to Disneyland and then add caffeine ... We said greatest, not smartest.
So, hit tea and iced tea are the same price. Hot cocoa and cold cocoa are the same price. But iced coffee is a WHOLE NICKEL more than hot coffee? The math ain't mathin' Uncle Walt! I demand a recount!
"I wonder what makes the "Fancy Jell-O" fancy?"
They serve it in a clean dish.
I think the patriotic theme for the press pass makes perfect sense. June 23rd is just a week and a half before Independence Day, and the theme of the event is "Disneyland's Salute to Summer." And wow - if that isn't a Rolly Crump design, I'll eat my hat!
Nanook, I remember that one. Tony Orlando & Dawn - Greatest Hits was one of the first albums the family got on cassette. It got a lot of play on road trips in the motor home, with my sister and I sharing the portable deck in the bunk over the cab, watching the world go by.
JG, I almost made a MAJOR P. reference about the MAJOR new attraction in the Opera House.
Chuck, I have that album on vinyl, but haven't listened to it in years.
Nanook, I do like T.O. & D. I remember watching their TV show when I was a wee tot. I bought a DVD set of the show some years ago, but I haven't opened it yet. Maybe I will finally do that! I do remember that song you mentioned. I also remember when their wax figures were unveiled at Movieland Wax Museum, in Buena Park. Where are those figures today? I say, put them in a boat ride along with an audio-animatronic Walt, and you would have a MAJOR attraction!
Which one of you is Tony? Which one is Orlando, and WHO is Dawn? Just asking: and if you knock three times on the ceiling I'll let you know. Really great Phem today. The Walt Disney Story IS a major attraction! Come on! You don't need a boat or a laser beam to be Major. And as we know, only Major is the ONLY Major. If you are a dad of any qualities, of course you take your family out to dinner! For Fancy Jello, if nothing else. I do have to admit, that I love Jello parfaits with Cool Whip. There is no other artificial taste like it in the universe. My aunt used to freeze Cool Whip and call it "Ice Cream". I loved that too. I dreamed of an afternoon swim in the middle of my Disneyland day: only because it meant the day would go to 1am...again: I use the term "dream". and 1am was also a "dream". Get scanning Major: we want to see more.
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